Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘Summersong’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Summersong’ particularly characterized by flowers which are yellow with purple/violet and a red/purple labellum; plants which may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissue culture; plants which produce more than one inflorescence; long and sturdy inflorescences; and relatively short, dark-green foliage.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Phalaenopsishybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘Summersong’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis of the Orchidaceaefamily, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Summersong’.

Phalaenopsis comprises a genus of about 55 species of herbaceousperennials many of which, or the hybrids thereof, are suitable forcultivation in the home or greenhouse. Phalaenopsis is predominantlyepiphytic or rock-dwelling, and is native to tropical Asia, the MalayArchipelago, and Oceania. The species typically has 2-ranked, fleshy,oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to a short central stem (monopodialgrowth), which vary in size from 5 to 8 inches to over 2 feet. Theleaves may be entirely green or mottled with silver grey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, often referred to as ‘Moth Orchids’ in thehorticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for theflorist trade or sold as flowering potted-plants for home orinteriorscape.

Phalaenopsis produces upright or pendent lateral racemes, often withmany showy flowers which open in succession beginning with thelowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and three petals; thelateral ones being alike. The lowermost petal, called the labellum, isthree-lobed and is often more brightly-colored than the other flowersegments. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellowand red-brown.

Phalaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. Asexualpropagation of Phalaenopsis is often done from off-shoots whichfrequently arise from the lower bracts of the inflorescence. Theresulting plants are detached from the mother plant and may be plantedin a suitable substrate.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Summersong’ is a product of a controlled breedingprogram conducted by the inventor, René Schoone, in Strengweg,Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was todevelop a new Phalaenopsis cultivar particularly characterized by itsattractive and unique colored flowers, economical propagation via tissueculture, rapid growth, and a plant dimension suitable for packaging andshipping to the market.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Summersong’ originated from a cross made by theinventor in 2001 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The female orseed parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘Sunrise Delight’,unpatented. The male or pollen parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivardesignated ‘Little Hatter’, unpatented. The new Phalaenopsis‘Summersong’ was discovered and selected by the inventor as a singleflowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlledenvironment in 2009 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis cultivar by tissue culture(mericloning) was first performed in November, 2009 in Cieweg 13,Heemskerk, The Netherlands, and has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmlyfixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction. The new cultivar asexually reproduces true-to-type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘Summersong’, which in combinationdistinguish this Phalaenopsis as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. flowers which are yellow with purple/violet and darker        purple/violet stripes and a red/purple labellum;    -   2. plant produces more than one inflorescence;    -   3. plants may be propagated economically and uniformly using        tissue culture;    -   4. inflorescences are long and sturdy, and    -   5. relatively short, dark-green foliage.

In comparison with the parental cultivars of ‘Summersong’, the femaleparent ‘Sunrise Delight’ is yellow/orange with darker stripes/spots andpink in the labellum, the male parent ‘Little Hatter’ is white with ared labellum, whereas the flowers of ‘Summersong’ are yellow withpurple/violet and darker purple/violet stripes and a red/purplelabellum.

Presently, the commercial cultivar to which ‘Summersong’ can bemeaningfully compared is ‘Be Fortune’ (U.S. application Ser. No.14/545,327). The flowers of ‘Be Fortune’ (U.S. application Ser. No.14/545,327) are red/purple and greyed/purple with wide yellow edges anda red/purple labellum, whereas the flowers of ‘Summersong’ are yellowwith purple/violet and darker purple/violet stripes and a red/purplelabellum

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis ‘Summersong’ showing the colors as true as isreasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors inthe photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘Summersong’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of‘Summersong’ in a 12 cm pot, at 16 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical flower of ‘Summersong’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of ‘Summersong’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘Summersong’ has not been observed underall possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivarmay vary with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of theplant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘Summersong’ asgrown in a greenhouse in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, underconditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercialpractice. Initially, the ideal temperature to grow plants of‘Summersong’ is 27° C. during the day and at night. Then, during theflowering phase of ‘Summersong’, the ideal growing temperature is 20-22°C. during the day and 18° C. at night. Light levels for growing‘Summersong’ are a minimum of 5,000 lux and a maximum of 10,000 lux. Abalanced fertilizer with level of 200 ppm N, 87 ppm P, 168 ppm K isapplied. Duration of growth of ‘Summersong’ from potting size is between10 and 14 months.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 2007 edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsat approximately noon in Zaandammerweg, Assendelft, The Netherlands. Theage of the ‘Summersong’ plants described is 12 months after potting.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrida.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Sunrise Delight’, unpatented.        -   Male or pollen parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Little Hatter’, unpatented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Tissue culture.        -   Rooting habit and description.—Fleshy; approximately between            3 and 4 mm wide and greyed/green in color (RHS 191A); freely            branching. It takes 12 weeks for plants growing in tissue            culture to initiate roots.-   Plant:    -   -   Size at maturity.—Height (from bottom of pot to highest            flower): about 50 cm. Spread: about 40 cm.        -   Growth habit.—Small; green leaves (RHS 137A) and a            relatively normal raceme.        -   Vigor.—Moderate.        -   Crop time.—Following asexual propagation, at about 26 weeks            2 leaves appear; at about 30 weeks 3-4 leaves appear; after            a cold treatment of about 4-8 weeks at a temperature of            about 19° C. about 1-3 racemes with flowers appear.-   Foliage:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 6-12 leaves are produced before            flowering.        -   Arrangement and attachment.—Alternate/clasping.        -   Overall shape of leaf.—Oval; the tip is blunt and            asymmetric.        -   Texture (upper & underside).—Smooth and leathery.        -   Pubescence.—None.        -   Mature leaf length.—About 17 cm.        -   Mature leaf width.—About 9 cm.        -   Mature leaf thickness.—About 2 mm.        -   Mature leaf color.—Upper side: green (RHS 137A). Under side:            green (RHS 137C).        -   Leaf base.—Acute.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Venation.—Pattern: parallel. Color of midvein: upper side:            green (RHS N137A). Under side: green (RHS 137B and RHS            137C).-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendant, racemose            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Raceme.—Quantity per plant: about 1 to 3. Number of flowers            per raceme: about 10 to 25. Number of flowers per peduncle:            about 3 to 5. Length: about 40-45 cm. Width: about 4 mm.        -   Pedicel.—Diameter: about 3 mm. Strength: strong. Aspect:            upright. Texture: glabrous and smooth. Color: green (RHS            137B) with grey/green (RHS 197A). Internode: Length: about            30 mm.        -   Buds.—Height (from base to tip): about 17 mm. Diameter (at            midpoint): about 16 mm. Shape: oval/egg-shaped with a bump            on one side. Color: yellow/green (RHS 145A and RHS 145B)            with a red/purple haze (RHS 70A). Orientation: same as            flowers (forward facing).        -   Flowering time.—For an untreated plant (flowering plant that            has not undergone cold-treatment where the plant grows at a            temperature of 18° C. to 19° C. for about 4 to 8 weeks after            a period of about 30 weeks at a temperature of 25° C.), 1-3            racemes appear with flower buds and flowers. First flowers            can be expected approximately 4 to 6 months after planting a            plant with a leaf diameter of 3 to 5 cm. Flowers persistent.        -   Flowering longevity.—On the plant: about 4 to 6 months;            lastingness of cut flowers: has not been observed.        -   Fragrance.—No fragrance.        -   Flower.—Rate of opening: Flowers fully opened about 2 to 3            days after petal and sepal separation. Orientation at            opening: slanted upward and outward. Shape: Typical shape of            Phalaenopsis, see FIG. 2. Size (of single bloom): Height:            about 55 mm. Diameter: about 50 mm. Quantity and            arrangement: three petals and three sepals that are            trimerous, overlapping and arranged in 2 whorls. Petals are            more pronounced than sepals.        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Inner whorl comprises 3 petals: 2            lateral petals and labellum. 2 lateral petals: Overall            shape: broadly ovate and weakly cupped. Apex: oval. Margin:            entire and weakly undulate. Base: broadly ovate. Length:            about 26 mm. Width: about 22 mm. Texture: Upper surface:            smooth and satiny. Under surface: smooth and satiny. Color            (when fully opened): upper side: purple/violet (RHS N80B)            with darker stripes (RHS N80A). The edges are yellow (RHS            2D). Under side: The edges and in the center yellow (RHS 2D)            and the rest is purple/violet (RHS N80B and RHS N80C).            Labellum: Overall shape: 3-lobed with 2 prominent            callosities at central junction of the lateral lobes and            base of the midlobe. Lateral lobes of labellum fold upward            about the column; the midlobe extends forward and is            terminated by 2 stubs appendages at the apex. Lateral lobes            of the labellum are ovate in shape while the midlobe is            triangular with a bump and a rib on it. Margin: entire and            weakly undulate. Apex: oval. Length: about 20 mm. Width (not            flattened): about 18 mm. Depth of tube created by lateral            lobes of labellum: about 5 mm. Texture: Upper & under            surface: smooth and satiny. Color (when fully opened):            Midlobe, upper side: at the base yellow (RHS 13A). Main            color is red/purple (RHS 59A) which runs into red/purple            (RHS 72A) with at the end a yellow haze (RHS 13A). Under            side: From the base and in the center white (RHS NN155C) and            little yellow (RHS 13B) also yellow at the upper edges.            Further red/purple (RHS 59A) and RHS 72A. Lateral lobes,            upper side: At the base white (RHS NN155C) and a yellow haze            (RHS 13A). Also some yellow at the outer edges (RHS 13A). In            the center red/purple (RHS 59A) stripes and red/purple (RHS            72A). Under side: white (RHS NN155C) and at the upper edge            red/purple (RHS 72A). Cirrhi: about 0,5 mm. Color: white            (RHS NN155D). Pestle (Callosities): Length: about 4 mm.            Width (not flattened): about 5 mm. Color: yellow (RHS 13B)            with red/purple spots (RHS 59A).        -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Outer whorl comprises 3 sepals, one            dorsal and two lateral sepals. Overall shape: elliptical and            weakly cupped. Margin: entire and weakly undulate. Length:            about 27 mm. Width: about 20 mm. Apex: oval, little pointy.        -   Texture.—Upper and under surface: smooth and satiny.        -   Color (when fully opened).—Upper side, dorsal: purple/violet            (RHS N80B) with red/violet stripes (RHS N80A). Edges, tip            and in the center yellow/green (RHS 145C and RHS 145D).            Lateral: purple/violet (RHS N80B) with red/violet stripes            (RHS N80A). Edges, tip and in the center yellow/green (RHS            145C). Under side, dorsal and lateral: yellow/green (RHS            145D and RHS 150D).        -   Pedicel.—Length: about 30 mm. Diameter: about 3 mm. Texture:            glabrous and smooth. Color: starting at the flower white            (RHS NN155D) which runs into yellow/green (RHS 144A).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Arrangement.—The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a            single, short structure called the column, possessing one            terminal anther with pollen grains united into a pollinia,            which are covered by an anther cap. The stigma is located            under the column behind the pollinia. The ovary is inferior            with three carpels present. The plant has not produced seed.        -   Column.—Length: about 9 mm. Diameter: about 4 mm. Color:            red/purple (RHS 70B).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: two. Diameter: about 1 mm. Color:            yellow/orange (RHS 23A).        -   Ovary.—Length: about 3 mm. Diameter: about 4 mm. Color:            white (RHS NN155D).-   Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 15° C.    and to a high temperature about 30° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named‘Summersong’, as illustrated and described herein.